A "spy" turns to science, space rocks are spotted in Florida. and aliens will not be getting a record deal. These are Space.com's top stories of the week.

Spy sat comes back — for science

NASA has approved its next major observatory: the agency will turn an old spy satellite spaceward to probe the universe with near-infrared light. The project, known as the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, should launch in the mid-2020s. [Full Story: NASA Will Use Repurposed Spy Telescope for Wide-Sky Survey]

Researchers suggest that a laser-powered "photon propulsion" system called DEEP-IN could propel robotic spacecraft to Mars within just three days (and a crewed spacecraft might take about a month). The craft would move forward by sailing on a laser light shined from Earth orbit. [Full Story: Powerful Laser Could Blast Spacecraft to Mars in 3 Days (Video)]

SpaceX was forced to call off their Falcon 9 launch two days in a row due to issues with loading propellant onto the rocket, the company said. When Falcon 9 finally launches, the company plans to attempt landing the rocket's first stage on an autonomous ship at sea. [Full Story: SpaceX Scrubs Satellite Launch, Rocket Landing Attempt]

For the first time, astronomers have pinpointed the distant location of a mysterious explosion known as a fast radio burst. By measuring how the radio waves changed en route to Earth, researchers can use this information to improve their models of dark matter. [Full Story: Dark Matter Clue: Strange Radio Bursts Finally Reveal Host Galaxy]

Look before you redirect (asteroids)

A new NASA report recommended sending a precursor mission to an asteroid before attempting to pluck a boulder off its surface. That project, called the Asteroid Redirect Mission, would haul the large boulder into lunar orbit for further inspection. [Full Story: Report Suggests NASA Fly Precursor to Asteroid Redirect Mission]

Latest but not last

The new documentary "The Last Man on the Moon," out Feb. 26, tells the story of early spaceflight and the Apollo missions through the recollections of Gene Cernan, the most recent astronaut to set foot on the lunar surface. The documentary focuses on bringing the story of the Apollo program into the present, with special emphasis on how the program has shaped Cernan's life. [Full Story: 'Last Man on the Moon' Documentary Brings Space Exploration Home]